Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting: The Ultimate Guide To Color Temperature Part 2

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Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting: A Color, Light, And Temperature Guide Part 2

Choosing Your Measured CCT

When choosing your desired CCT, it is best to keep in mind that all the objects, as well as the colors within a designated space, are brought out with that of warmer CCTs. As a result, designers suggest temperatures of 2700K and 3000K to highlight the reds and yellows of wood grain flooring. From a commercial or industrial standpoint, they generally tend to lean to those sources which can provide 4000K to 5000K since it readily matches that of outdoor lighting and creates a productive feeling. As far as cooler light is concerned, an advantage is that it has always been seen as being brighter than those of warm sources. As such, numerous businesses are bending toward cooler temperatures which can, in turn, save them some money. This is achieved as a result of saving energy since less light would be used when compared to warmer sources.

The Pros And Cons Of Residential Outdoor Lighting In Houston

There are several pros and cons with respect to the warmer temperatures of outdoor lighting for residential use. This is as a result of the environment that the lights are being placed into, as such, warm colors are generally thought of as being not bright enough when they are placed into areas where people want to work with white light that is crisp. Some areas present cool colors which occur naturally and when they enter, they can be seen as being more yellow or even pink, this then causes individuals to think that the lights are not working properly. Cool colors are typically viewed as being institutional or even sterile and this is a huge downside.

Warm Color Temperatures

With all said, numerous individuals wouldn’t prefer the change from a warm color since they may feel that it is too bright for their liking. In order to choose the proper outdoor lighting, it is best to assess your environmental needs beforehand and inform your supplier of the type of environment as well as the ambiance that you intend to create. It should also be noted that if you’re interested in changing your initial light sources, such as in the case of fluorescent to LED or even CCT, you should definitely ensure that your entire room has been completed since come differences are not distinguishable to others.

If you are looking to further learn about the temperatures of colors and how they can affect the colors within your backyard outdoor lighting projects, be sure to contact Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting or call us at 713.861.2000. Or simply visit our blog.

Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting: The Ultimate Guide To Color Temperature Part 1

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Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting: A Color, Light, And Temperature Guide Part 1

What Is Color Temperature And Why Is It Important?

When we refer to the temperature of lighting, it is said to have a specific tone. This tone is often thought of as white light and is emitted from the lights initial source. This can be simplified if we were to consider the life cycle of a white t-shirt and the variations of shading which occurs. If our white t-shirt was washed with a batch of dark blue colors, it will still appear to be white, however, if we held a brand-new white t-shirt next to our previously washed t-shirt, a hint of blue can be seen. If either of us wore a new white t-shirt for years upon years and then compared it with a new one, the old one will now be much more yellow in comparison.

How Are Shades Of White Distinguished?

If we were to place two different temperatures from varied sources together, the white light seen will have a totally different appearance. In order to be able to distinguish numerous shades of white, artificial light is labeled with a designated color temperature. These can be incandescent and tungsten as well as with the use of a correlated color temperature which is widely known as a CCT. The temperature scale known as Kelvin is used to measure both regular color temperature as well as CCT and is obtained from what is known as blackbody radiation. When an ideal source of blackbody radiation absorbs radiation from external sources, it begins to glow in a number of different colors. At a temperature of 2000K, it can be seen as being a mix of both orange and yellow. With an increase in temperature, the previously mentioned color goes to yellow followed by a yellowish-white which becomes white and finally appears as a bluish-white.

Traditional Residential Outdoor Lighting

As far as traditional outdoor lighting in a residential setting goes, white was typically referred to as warm white or cool white depending on the CCT. Due to the limited sources of outdoor lighting, incandescent lights, halogen lights, and fluorescent lights, all having a temperature of 3000K CCT or even 2700K CCT were classified as warm whites. Fluorescent outdoor lighting which measured 3500K CCT were classified as being neutral, and those which measured 4100K CCT and above were therefore referred to as cool white. LEDs became more popular and were responsible for drastically changing the outdoor lighting market. They soon became widely available commercially in white and didn’t cost much when they became available in what was called the bluer spectrum. The earlier sources of white light favored having temperatures of 6000K CCT and above. As such, manufacturers of commercial outdoor lighting now refer to a measured 5000K as being neutral.

Advice About Outdoor Lighting For LED Buyers

Buyers of LED products should always aim to find out the color temperature correlation before actually purchasing. Buyers should also always keep in mind that there is, however, in fact, a range of chromaticity with respect to the temperatures of correlated colors. This just simply means that lamps which tend to have a temperature of 2700K CCT will not entirely appear the same as another which has the same. In trying to avoid problems for the users of these fixtures or lamps, it is not advisable to match and mix different manufacturers products. It should be noted that light sources impact on the way space feels, hence, this makes CCT a very important aspect when it comes to choosing a light. Candlelight’s range between 1500 – 2000L, and gives most people a romantic feeling, as such, homeowners, hotels and restaurants who are trying to create a warm and cozy feeling should go with temperatures of 2400K – 2700K. Transitioning to more functional spaces such as hallways should be that of measured temperatures around 3000K – 3500K.

If you are looking to further learn about the temperatures of colors and how they can affect the colors within your backyard outdoor lighting projects, be sure to contact Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting or call us at 713.861.2000. Or simply visit our blog.

Answering The Question. What Is Color Temperature?

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Color Temperature Guide

Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting | Color Temperature & Outdoor Lighting in HoustonIn its most basic form, light has numerous characteristics with each of them being described in their unique way. Features like angle, softness, hardness, intensity and even movement can play a significant role in the ways we interpret what we are seeing with our eyes. The various qualities that light possesses can also affect our mood as well as the emotional response we have to our surroundings. The color is another essential quality of the light that we see on a daily basis. Bold lighting colors, of course, are frequently used by the entertainment industry for creating spectacle, excitement or mood. However, in our daily lives, we all encounter color variations that are more subtle but just as important. Those variations, ranging from Moonlight’s cool tint as it filters through the trees, the noonday sun’s bright white, or warmth from a firelight are referred to as Color Temperature.

Color temperature, when referencing the lighting industry, is measured in degrees Kelvin (K), with cool light being on the higher end (with daylight at 5500K) and warm light on the lower end of the scale (with incandescent light bulbs being at 2700-3000K). In the lighting industry, color temperature is extremely important where color affects a space’s emotional impact and mood. The following is a list of some of the more popular shades along with the environments that you find them in:

Warmer White Lighting: This type of lighting is preferred for living and dining areas inside a home to provide a relaxed environment. Warm white light often makes warmer earth tones like woodwork and stone look their best.

Natural White Lighting

This is ideal for areas such as bathrooms and kitchens where detailed lighting is needed.

Daylight White Lighting

Occupants tend to be kept alert by this kind of lighting so it works great for office spaces and stores.

Cool White Lighting

This is viewed as a type of clean, cooler lighting and is frequently used in industrial locations, garages, and hospitals.

Within the lighting industry, numerous techniques are used for creating the best color temperature for a specific space. A cool white light is naturally produced by fluorescent lighting. That is why a majority of large retail locations, hospitals, and office have a tendency to heavily rely on fluorescent light for most of their lighting needs. However, these same office buildings using fluorescent fixtures within their cubicles will frequently use warmer, incandescent lighting within their reception and lobby areas. That is because warm lighting has a tendency to put individuals at ease and might make their hour wait appear to go by more quickly.

When considering outdoor lighting needs, professional lighting designers such as an outdoor lighting company in Houston Texas will be very careful to choose the best color temperature for whatever surface or area is being lit. As previously mentioned, when a natural surface like brick, wood or stone is being lit, frequently the best choice is warmer light. However, when the goal is to recreate a romantic ambiance that a full moon offers, then we will use a light that has a color temperature that is much bluer. That is due to the fact that the human eye can no longer see the color red at very low light levels but is still able to perceive greens and blues. The phenomena is called the Purkinje Effect, which is named after Johannes Purkinje, who was a 19th-century physiologist.

All of the new LED light fixtures that are available these days provide an abundance of options for professional designers when it comes to choosing the best color temperature for any desired outcome. From cheerful, welcoming warm lighting to cool bright light that is dim and mysterious, there are an endless amount of choices. Combined with all of the other qualities that light possess, almost any effect or mood imaginable may be created. As always, if you ever have any questions about lighting design or color temperatures, just contact us or give us call here at Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting. We are always happy to help you out with any outdoor lighting needs that you have!

Robert Huff Illumination Educates On Color Temperature

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Differences in LED Colors and Different Uses

What is being referred to when you say color temperature lighting is the tone of “white” light which is emitted from a source of light.

One simple way of looking at this is by considering the various shades that in its life a white T-shirt may go through. If you wash a white T-shirt with your dark blues it may seem to be white on its own, however, if you place it next to a new white T-shirt, it may seem slightly blue. If you wear a T-shirt for a long time, then when it is placed next to a new one, you can see how yellow the old one looks. White light will also look quite different when two sources that are different with two color temperatures that are different are placed side by side.

So that you are able to tell the difference between the various shades of white, they label artificial light sources with a color temperature which is tungsten and incandescent, or with a CCT (correlated color temperature) which is basically everything else. The way that they measure both CCT and color temperature is in degrees Kelvin, procured from “blackbody radiation”

To put it simply, as radiation is absorbed by an idealized “blackbody radiation”, it will glow different colors. It is extremely orangish-yellowish in color when at a 2000K temperature. As the temperature is increased, the color changes to yellow, then yellowish-white, then white, and finally a bluish white.

Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting | LED Lighting in Houston TXSo in the residential outdoor lighting, traditionally the color white has been classified as cool white or warm white, this depends on its CCT. When there were more limitations on lighting sources and an item which was not available commercially was LED lighting, what was known as “warm white” was halogen, fluorescent, and incandescent lights with 2700K CCT or with 3000K CCT. What was considered “neutral” was fluorescents with a 3500K CCT and sources with a 4100K CT and above was considered to be “cool white”.

This has been changed by LEDs. When they initially became commercially viable in “white”, LEDs were not as expensive if they were in the bluer spectrum, this is why most of the earlier “white” light sources tended to favor a 6000K CCT or above. Due to this, we can now observe manufacturers that call 5000K neutral, I have even seen that some refer to a 4000K as “warm white”.

That being said, to LED buyers the most important piece of advice I can give is to inquire as to what a lamp or a fixture´s correlated color temperature is prior to purchasing it, not if the color temperature is “cool” or “warm”.

It is also important to keep in mind that there is a chromaticity range to correlated color temperatures. Without delving into the scientific details, what this means to an installer and end user is that not every CCT lamp of 2700K will look the same. So to avoid any problems, it is smart that you do not mix and match manufacturers unless you have already tried their products together.

The way that light makes space feel is why CCT is so very important.

The ranges of candle light are from 1500-2000L to most people this feeling is a romantic one. This is why hotels, restaurants, and homeowners who are seeking a cozy feeling may want to go with color temperatures which are 2400-2700K. Transitional spaces in between cozy areas to more functional ones, for example, hallways, may be best lighted with color temperatures between the ranges of 3000-3500K.

Warm, colors in art, furniture as well as other objects in an area are also drawn out with warm CCTs. This is why designers tend to recommend 2700-3000K for those looking to highlight the yellows and reds in the wood grain of their flooring.

However, on the other hand, I have observed quite a few industrial and commercial facilities which seem to lean toward sources of 4000-5000K because this light is what matches daylight the closest, therefore they feel as if the space has more of a business focused and productive “feel” to it.

When it comes to cooler light, the other advantage is that it is often perceived by people as being “brighter” or as producing more light than sources with color temperatures that are warmer. Due to this increase in perceived light, for some businesses shifting to color temperatures that are cooler may also provide an energy-saving effect, as they are actually able to use less light than would be used with CCT sources that are warmer.

When it comes to residential outdoor lighting in Houston, there are both pros and cons to cool and warm color temperatures. The crucial point here is to understand the environment in which the lights are being put into.

Warm color may come across as “not being bright enough” if they are placed in areas where people want to work under a crisp white light. In areas where daylight which is naturally cool-colored enters from skylights or windows, warm colors usually come across more pink or yellow, this may cause people to believe that the lights are not properly working.

What could be a potential downside to opting for cool colors is that many people view it as being “sterile” or “institutional”. Some people may not be happy if you change from a color that is warm to one that is white as they may believe it to be “too bright”, even if the output of light is measured the same or slightly decreases.

The key to choosing the perfect color temperature is evaluating your environmental needs.

Make sure to inform the supplier of the kind of environment or the kind of ambiance you are seeking to create in the area. Although if you are planning on changing from a certain light source to another, for example, fluorescent to LED, or on switching the CCT, I highly recommend that you entire rooms be finished at the same time. Much like the T-shirt analogy, if people cannot see two CCT light sources that are different near each other, it is much more difficult to notice a difference.

Call or contact Robert Huff Illumination today to learn about color temperature and how it can positively affect the look of your backyard lighting project! Or you visit here to get a better view of the services we are able to provide.